This could be confusing as I am a bit doped up at the moment.
Do you learn things in steps? Like, say you have someone who has seen a chess board once before and knows nothing else. You start off showing how to set the board up, move order, explain which pieces can move where (or if they cannot move). Okay, anything else? Introduce some very simple mate in 1 tactics perhaps. See that they at least know how to move around in a game. These are the worst of the worst.
Next comes myself, I think. My rating is 781 with 5m time controls and 1159 with 15m time controls. I understand all of the above more or less, like I miss mate in one during games quite a bit under time pressure. At this point do I want to pick an opening and stick with it or not worry about openings yet. Obviously work on a lot of basic tactics. I am almost never in an end game scenario, worth looking at end games yet? Can I get anything out of watching high level games? It feels like I'm stuck banging my head against a wall.
Don't limit this to my level. Around when should you start to seriously study various other topics that I did not mention (and what are they)? Or, am I thinking about learning as a series of steps incorrectly? I don't mean like learn e5 opening variation and move to something else as the topic is far too complicated to master without many many years (right?) spent on it.
Everyone tells me, tactics. I agree. My question is say I get tactical rating up to 1500-1800 or so... then what to focus on, or should I try to improve multiple aspects at once? I have no dream of becoming a master, my goal at the moment is to simply become solid enough to rarely lose a casual game against my current self.
Also feel free to mention when you should start learning what, and what these topics are... I apologize for rambling if I did but I am about to pass out due to sleeping meds and muscle relaxers... and my state of mind led me to finally get around to make this op...